First Lieutenant Abate Melese was born on January 1, 1967 in Gonder, Ethiopia, to Weizero Hamelmal Mekonnen and Ato Mequaninit Melese.

First Lieutenant Abate completed his elementary education from Tsadiku Yohannes Elementary School and completed high school education at Atse Fasiledes Comprehensive Secondary School in Gonder. After a high school diploma, he went on to serve his country of origin by enlisting in the country’s Armed Forces. First Lieutenant Abate completed his training as an airborne special commando in 1986. After completion, in distinction, of his airborne training, he served as an officer at the rank of Lieutenant at Asmara Airborne Division for three years between 1986 and 1989. Then, First Lieutenant Abate was transferred to Bilate Military Corps Training Center in the southern Ethiopia. At Bilate, he trained the 82nd batch of Reserves who served their country in uniform much early on and recruited university students. However, because of civil war and change of government, First Lieutenant Abate along with student trainees had to fled their country to a neighboring country, Kenya, in 1991. While a refugee in Kenya, he met and married Mrs. Meaza Humena. Their marriage lasted to about 16 years. After living, often hard, refugee life for nearly 20 years in Kakuma, Kenya, First Lieutenant Abate resettled in Greensboro, NC, in 2011. After he resettled to the US, First Lieutenant Abate had been working in the private sector to provide for himself and his extended family.

First Lieutenant Abate was very kind, caring and generous and very quick to help. He dedicated herself to the Almighty God at a very early age. He lived the life of a strict Christian. He loved working in the Church and cherished praising God The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit. He was also involved in many voluntary activities for our Church and various other community services. First Lieutenant Abate set a great example of helping the poor. Every month for the last many years, he used to feed, clothed and care for the unfortunate in his native country, Ethiopia, through his family members. He showed us how to live a Christian life and as per the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahido teachings and traditions. Today, we missed our brother and his unique quality of service to our church and our community. Abate served our Church in various capacities - as a member of the Parish Council, often taking leadership positions, and through partnering in various activities and volunteering in various committees. He was the go-to person for all kinds of help, be it counseling for everyone who needs it or brainstorm service ideas to our community. Our community lost the kindest and the best in Abate. Abate was a loving, caring and devoted uncle, cousin, and good friend who always thinking of others first. Abate leaves to cherish his family, close relatives, and many friends.

He is survived by his brothers and sisters.

We all lost a loving and caring brother. He will be greatly missed.

Funeral service will be held Monday, June 9, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at Phillips Funeral Service Chapel. Interment will follow at Carolia Biblical Gardens.

Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.